Douglas John Bell

Douglas John Bell
Born(1893-09-16)16 September 1893
Johannesburg, Transvaal
Died27 May 1918(1918-05-27) (aged 24)
near Thiepval, France
Commemorated at
Arras Flying Services Memorial, Pas de Calais, France
AllegianceUnion of South Africa
United Kingdom
Service / branchUnion Defence Force
British Army
Royal Air Force
Years of service1914–1918
RankCaptain
UnitLight Horse Regiment
No. 27 Squadron RFC
No. 78 Squadron RFC
No. 3 Squadron RFC/RAF
Battles / warsWorld War I
 • South-West Africa Campaign
 • Western Front  †
AwardsMilitary Cross & Bar

Captain Douglas John Bell MC* (16 September 1893 – 27 May 1918) was a South African World War I fighter ace credited with 20 aerial victories. He was one of the first fighter pilots to successfully engage an enemy multi-engine bomber.[1] He became the leading ace of the nine in No. 3 Squadron RAF.[2]

  1. ^ "Douglas John Bell". The Aerodrome. 2015. Retrieved 9 December 2015.
  2. ^ "No. 3 Squadron". The Aerodrome. 2015. Retrieved 9 December 2015.